Cynthia Yao

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Cynthia Yao (1940-) is the founder and former executive director of the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum. [1]

Contents

Early Life and Education

Yao was born in Kingston, Jamaica to parents who immigrated from China. [2] She attended Emmanuel College in Boston, where she met her future husband, Edward York-Peng Yao. [3] In 1979 she earned a Master of Museum Practice from the University of Michigan. [2]

Career

Inspired by visiting hands-on science centers like the San Francisco Exploratorium with her four children, Yao had the idea to start a children's museum in Ann Arbor. [4] She and fellow volunteers worked to transform the city's former fire station into the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, which opened its doors in 1982. [5] [6]

Awards

Yao was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2005. [7]

References

  1. ↑ "Michigan Women 's Hall of Fame honors 10 new members". Midland Daily News. 2005-10-21. Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  2. 1 2 "AAPI Washtenaw Oral History Project - Cynthia Yao | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  3. ↑ "High-Energy Force | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  4. ↑ "Hands On Museum visionary reflects on Ann Arbor science center's history". WXYZ 7 News Detroit. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  5. ↑ "Community Rallies To Aid The Hands-On Museum | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  6. ↑ "Hands-On Museum Celebrates 10 Years | Ann Arbor District Library". aadl.org. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
  7. ↑ "Michigan Women's Hall of Fame". Michigan Women Forward. Retrieved 2025-03-08.
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